The Golden Circus

April 24, 2018April 24, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Looking for a well-curated vintage store in Berlin‘s Mitte district? I’m sure The Golden Circus will please you in every possible way. The place is a fruit of a long-life passion for fashion and crafts that Sonia, the owner, has. Ancient silk kimonos made according to traditional Japanese techniques; ethnic textiles from Central Asia; handmade accessories (if you’re here, note Caralarga, a Mexican jewellery brand, and those Sicilian bags from 1950s Italy); vintage clothing from Burberry, Moschino and others. “Wearing these pieces, Sonia explains, makes you aware of the incredible amount of work and the fantastic workmanship that was put into them. In this sense, all of them are real treasures.” Can’t agree more with that. Rather than going for another mass-produced coat, why not invest in a piece that has its story?

Rosenthalerstrasse 7 / Berlin

SONY DSC

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Markthalle IX

March 16, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

That’s Berlin – you go down the street and suddenly find a place you never want to leave. Exactly this happened to us when we came across Markthalle IX in the Kreuzberg district. As the name suggests, it’s a ‘market hall’. But not that usual. Actually, it contains dozens of local butcheries, stalls with bio-vegetables and pop-ups of Berlin’s trending restaurants. There are freshly cut flowers and wild oysters; there’s salami in every possible size and taste and even Italian patisserie. The best part – you can try everything. And eat one of the best lunches in Berlin, if you find an empty bench! I tell you, this place is worth a visit.

Eisenbahnstraße 42/43 / Berlin

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

Odeeh in Berlin

March 15, 2018March 15, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

SONY DSC

Oh, how I adore Berlin and its stores. With their label called Odeeh, Otto Drögsler and Jörg Ehrlich stand for a now rare atelier tradition since 2008. The German label is the result of the designer duo’s different tempers that brings the complexity to every collection – be it the silhouettes or the range of materials. The vision created by Drögsler and Ehrlich is about a cool, eclectic aesthetic. Whether we’re speaking of a chic knee-lenght tapestry skirt or a baggy coat, Odeeh has you covered for every occasion, really. To truly experience Odeeh, it’s worth discovering their relatively new boutique in Berlin. Located in a well-hidden, old townhouse, the store clashes historical elements and ornaments with contemporary details, like lightbulb lamps or metal shelves. If you’re here, be sure to get your hands on one of those locally sourced homeware pieces!

Potsdamer Str. 81 (Haus J) / Berlin

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

Modern Dark Age. GmbH AW18

January 17, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

“We started thinking that the time we’re living in feels like ‘the modern dark ages,‘” said Benjamin Alexander Huseby, one part of the GmbH‘s duo. “How do we protect ourselves?” Together with Serhat Isik, the label that originates from Berlin asks important questions regarding global issues, and answers them with clothes. There was something very ‘protective’ about the autumn-winter 2018 garments the couple presented at an industrial, graffitied overhang in Paris. Chainmail tank-tops; dirt-bike gloves; motocross silhouettes; structural biker jackets. Some of the pieces were ornamented with meticulous thread-work. “We developed these embroideries as a coat of arms, in a way. We took this plant, a stinging nettle, which is kind of unruly and unwanted and slightly aggressive—it grows everywhere that you don’t want it to,” said Isik, with Huseby adding: “Which relates to this otherness that we can feel. The others, the immigrants, not wanted.” Although there was a glimpse of bold yellow (in form of a loosely fit sweatshirt), the collection was kept in greys, navy and melancholic, dark green.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

Berlin for a Day

November 5, 2017November 5, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

Even though our last day trip to Berlin occurred at the time of the Reformation Day, and we were absolutely unaware of the fact all stores are closed during that national holiday, the German capital proved once again that it’s incredible even on calmer, lazier days. First, by a total co-incidence, we’ve stepped into Open Air Mitte, a yard that functions as an open air cinema: it shows anything from classic films to live music performances. But also, it’s Berlin’s top show-off spot for graffiti artists – the street art here is unbelievable! Just like the local pubs, bars and guerilla stores. Later, we strolled around the Museum Island, which is even more spectacular with its monumental architecture when there’s not even one tourist around.

At least, some restaurants were open that day, and Kreuzberg saved us in the evening with its classic. Zola is best known in Berlin for serving Neapolitan style pizza. With its massive, wood-fired oven, the place (crowded even on holidays) has ranked up high with its undemanding atmosphere and very, very well made pizza in the neighborhood. Well, no wonder why.

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.